President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered South Africa’s support as a potential mediator in the escalating Middle East conflict, saying Pretoria stands ready to help broker dialogue if requested.
Speaking to local media on the sidelines of an energy conference in Cape Town, Ramaphosa said South Africa was prepared to contribute to peace efforts between the warring parties.
“South Africa is always ready to play a contributing role, either in mediation or whatever. And if a gap opens or if we are asked, we always live up to our obligations,” he said in remarks broadcast by Newzroom Afrika.
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Ramaphosa emphasized that diplomacy remains the best path forward, calling for an immediate ceasefire.
“If the opportunity were to open, we would talk and say: there must be a ceasefire. Dialogue is always the best way of ending conflict and then ending the war. And we want this war to come to an end immediately,” he added.
South African Citizens Stranded in Conflict Zone
The South African president also said his government was working to repatriate citizens stranded in the conflict-hit region, as tensions between Israel, the United States, and Iran continue to escalate.
Pretoria has not disclosed the number of South Africans affected but confirmed that diplomatic channels are being used to ensure their safe return.
South African’s Diplomatic Strains With Israel
Ramaphosa’s mediation offer comes amid already strained relations between South Africa and Israel.
Pretoria previously filed a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice over Israel’s military operations in Gaza allegations Israel has strongly rejected as baseless.
In January, South Africa escalated diplomatic tensions further by declaring Israel’s chargé d’affaires, Ariel Seidman, persona non grata, according to the country’s foreign affairs ministry.
South Africa has historically positioned itself as a proponent of negotiated settlements in global conflicts, drawing on its own transition from apartheid to democracy as a model for reconciliation.
Whether Ramaphosa’s offer will be taken up remains uncertain, particularly given Pretoria’s current diplomatic posture toward Israel.
However, the proposal signals South Africa’s desire to play a more active role on the international stage as the Middle East conflict deepens.